This is the launch screening of About a War, a documentary film by Daniele Rugo and Abi Weaver, that moves through personal testimonies to build a multi perspective picture of motivations, trauma and regret following the Lebanese Civil War.

The screening, which is funded by the Politics of Culture and Memory Cluster in The Department of Politics, Languages & International Studies will be followed by a Q&A session with the directors.

Through rare archive footage and personal accounts of ex-fighters from the Lebanese Civil War (1975-1990), this character driven documentary explores the tensions between individual choice and sectarian violence in the Middle East.

The Lebanese Civil War saw 170,000 dead, 1 million displaced and 17,000 people still missing. During the conflict, thousands of teenagers picked up arms to fight in a 15-year war that tore the nation apart. In 1990, the Taif agreement brought the war to a close, integrating warring parties into a power sharing government. With an amnesty pardoning all crimes against civilians and no plans to reintegrate militiamen back into society, many fighters became anonymous, silent and were left to disappear into a society ravaged by internal strife.

The event is free and open to all. Some tea, coffee and cake will also be available. Registration is required.